Baseboard radiators



Jan. 24, 1956 Filed Aug. 22, 1952 C. G. NEWTON ETAL BASEBOARD RADIATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 22% Miami}? Jan. 24, 1956 c. G. NEWTON ETAL 2,731,903

BASEBOARD RADIATORS Filed Aug. 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2,731,903 BASEBOARD RADIATORS Application August 22, 1952, Serial No. 305,864 11 Claims. (Cl. 98-40) The invention relates to baseboard radiators and more particularly to control devices for the dampers in the baseboard.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved damper for a baseboard radiator which is adapted to effectively close the damper to cut off heat from the radiator when the baseboard is installed along an uneven wall.

Another object is to provide a damper control device which consists of pre-assembled elements and can be easily installed at different points along the baseboard.

Another object is to provide a damper control device which is simple in construction, eflicient in operation and can be economically produced.

Another object is to provide a damper control device in a baseboard which is manually operated and avoids the use of closure springs.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view with the control device applied in its open position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, the damper being closed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the back plate in the mounting plate; 7

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the shifter which is formed of wire;

Fig. 6 is a back view of the damper shifting device, the shifter being shown in position to open the damper;

Fig. 7 is a similar view, the shifter being shown in position to close the damper;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9'9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a vertical section showing a modification of the damper support.

The invention is exemplified in a baseboard radiator with a sheet metal housing including a back section 12 with a forwardly extending top wall 13 having a bead 14 at its front edge, partitions 15 secured to the back section and provided with open ended recesses 16, a pre-assembled radiator including tubes 17 for the circulation of heat ing fluid and fin plates 18 for heat transfer, a front section 19 having an inset ledge 20 overlying and adapted to seat on the upper front corners of the partitions 15, and an upstanding flange 21 along its bottom adapted to hook into notches 22 in said partitions whereby the front plate will be supported to enclose the radiator. The lower end of the front section 19 is spaced from the floor and forwardly of the back section to provide an opening for admitting air to the duct or flue between the front section 19 and the rear section 12 in which the radiator is located. The upper portion of the front section 19 between ledge 20 and the bead 14 on top 13 is provided with a vertical of a baseboard radiator thereto, the damper being series of horizontal rows of slots 21 for theoutflow of v United States Patent 0 too , tion 19 has a backwardly extending top flange 22-which terminates in a depending flange 23 which is provided with a forwardly extending ledge 24. The flanges 22 and 23 and ledge 24 form a forwardly facing channel for pivotally supporting a damper 26 which extends longitudinally of the baseboard. The damper is formed of sheet metal, has a downwardly bent flange 27, the lower edge of which is movably seated on the ledge 24 for the movement of the damper between open and closed positions. The lower end of the damper 26 is provided with an upturned flange 28 which is flat over a sufiicient area to seat on a suflicient area of the inner face of the lower portion of the front section 19 to close at least one horizontal series of slots 21 cutting off the outflow of air from the housing. The flange 28 is resilient so it can be pressed tightly against the front plate to eflt'ect a tight closure. The lower edge of flange 27 is free to slide and pivot on ledge 24 to permit damper 26 to be flexed to conform to any uneveness in the front section, and to permit the damper to be pressed forwardly until flange 28 is seated on the front section throughout the length of the radiator. It will be understood that these radiators are of considerable length, for example, 10 feet, and when installed at the base of a building wall are sometimes deformed according to irregularities in the wall. In consequence, it is important to provide a damper which will close the slots 21 notwithstanding these irregularities.

section 19 to loosely locate the mounting plate 31' on and engage screw-threaded holes 39 in the back plate 33. The inner tapered ends of screws 38 are adapted to abut against the lower edge of and between longitudinal rows of slots 21 and lock the hooks 36 on said webs for locking the mounting plate 31 for the damper controlling device in different places along the front section of the baseboard, as shown in Fig. 4.

A knob 40 or operating element is fixed to a stem or shaft 41, which is rotatably mounted in and extends through the mounting plate 31 and back plate 33. Spring washers 41 in a groove on shaft 41 hold the shaft 41 inner end of stem 41 and is manually rotatable by the knob 40. A shifter 44 for the damper 26 is formed of a strip of round wire and a pintle 45 which is confined to swing on a substantially vertical axis in a socket 46 which is formed between an outwardly indented portion 47 in the mounting plate 31 and the front face of back plate 33. The shifter includes a member 48 which extends from the upper end of pintle 45 through a substantially horizontal slot 49 in back plate 33 and is adapted to swing in a substantially horizontal arc,

The damper is not attached to the front plate but is pivotally and bodily lower end of arm 50 which swings formed on the body of the damper 26 by flange 28, for swinging the damper transversely of the housing by the toward and away from the front section '19 on the vertical. axisv of pintle 45., V

. and9, the lower end. of;arm 5.0 which swings horizontally on the verticalaxisof'pintle 45, and is inclined down Wardly, and laterally, willswing in the channel between flange-28 and the back of damper 26 and resiliently force the flange of the damper against the back face or" front section, 19 and close the-lowest row of slots 21' to prevent 7 air from passing between the damper and the front plate 19. Inthis operationof the damper, there is some resiliencein the armStl so the flange 23 can be tightly pressed against the section 19 around slots 21 and the flange 27 on which the damper is supported can pivot and slide on When the arm 59 of the shifter 44 V theledge. 24. This makes. it possible for the damper to flex to fit the back face of section 1? when there is uneven; ness in the sections of the baseboard. V

In assembling'the control device with the housing and damper, the pivot flange 27' is set on ledge 24 before the front and back sections 12 and 18 are assembled. The front section 19 and rear section of the baseboard are then assembled by inserting the flange 27 on the front section 19 into the notches 22 in the partitions 15 andplacing the ledge 26 of front section over the upper front corners of partitions 15 and the top flange 22' of the fronfsection 19 under the top wall 13. 'The damper control device is preassembled so it can be installed at any selected place or places along the baseboard. in installing the control device, the knob 40 is turned to about half'open position and the wire arm 50 is inserted through a slot 21 in the second row of the-top'of section 19 and into the channel in the damper. Tongues 35 are inserted through a pair of the second row of slots from the top to position the mounting plate 31 horizontally on the front section 19. Plate 31 is then pressed downwardly to engage hooks 36 and the upper edges of webs between the slots in the second and third rowof slots 21 from the top. Set.

screws 38 are tightened to lock the hooks 36 to the front section 19. The control device will then operate to open and close the damper by rotation of the knob 40 in oppositedirections to selectively open or close. the damper.

In Fig. 10, the damper control device is shown as used in a baseboard of a different construction. This com prises a sheet metal back section 63 and a sheet metal front section 61 provided with a top wall 62.v The back action has a forwardly extending ledge 63 which forms a seat for a forwardly'extending flange 64 on the front section which is spaced below top wall 62. Resilient strips 65 hold the top of section 61 on the ledge 63. In this construction, sheet metal brackets 66 are secured to the back section 60; engagethe top wall 62 provided with notches 68 in which the flange 27 of the damper 26 is seated. The control device is the same as hereinbefore described and is assembled with the front section in the same manner, it'being understoodthat the front section 61 is provided with slots described. In this modification, the lower edge of flange 27 on the damper is pivotally and slidably movable'on the bottom of notches 68 in the brackets 66.

The invention exemplifies a damper and a damper controldevice which consists of preassembled elements difierent places along the baseboard; also a damper and at 67 and are 21 as previously baseboard radiator with a which can be readily installed at control,,device which .are, adapted tov operate, efliciently when the baseboard is'uneven when installed; also a'control device which is simple in construction and can be economically reproduced; and also a control device which dispenses with closure springs.

The invention is not to, be the detailsset forth since these'may be modified within the scope of theappended claimsv without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described. the invention which I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A register'for a sheet metal baseboard forming a' radiator housing,.provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots mits upper portion, comprising for controlling the flow of air a sheet metal damper through the outlet slots, having its upper end pivotally supported in the casing and an upwardly. extending flange at its lower end forming a longitudinal extendingchannel and adapted tov engage a slotted portion of the casing, and a damper control device fitting overa slotted portion ofthe casing, means for'removably securing the mounting platoon the front of the casing, plate provided with a. substantially'horizontal slot, a recess being provided between theplates adjacent the slot in the back plate, a shifter including a strip of wire with a pintle held in the recess to swing on a substantially vertical axis, a member extending inwardly from the pintle and through the slot in the'back plate and a resilient arm extending angularly downward from said member and 7 adapted to swing longitudinally into the channel in the dampenan operating elementsupported in the mounting plate, and means at the back of the mounting plate rotatable by the operating element for shifting the arm.

2. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a radiator housing, provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots inits upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper for controlling the flow of air through the outlet slots, having its upper end pivotally supported in the-casing and an upwardly'extending flange at its lower end forming a and adapte dto engage a slotted portion of the casing, and a damper control device including a mounting plate fitting over a slotted portion of the casing, movably securing the mounting plate on the front of the casing, a shifter including a strip of wire with .a pintle pivoted to swing on a substantially vertical axis, a memextends.

3. A register-for a sheetmetal baseboard forming a radiator housing, provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet-slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper for controlling the flow of air through the outlet slots, having its upper end pivotally supportedin the casing and an upwardly extending flange at its lowerend forming a longitudinal extending channel and adapted to engage a slotted portion ofthe casing, and a damper control device including amounting plate fitting over a slotted portiorrof the'casing, means for removably securing the mountingplate on the front of the casing, a back plate on the inner side of the mounting plate pro-. vided with a substantially horizontal slot, the mounting plate beingprovidedwith a recess adjacentthe slot in the back plate,- =a'shifterincluding a strip of wire with a pintle held toswin'g on a substantially vertical axis, a member. extendinginwardlyfrom the pintle and through the slot in the-back plateand a resilient arm extending angularly downward from said member and adapted to understood as restricted to including a mounting plate a back plate ontheinnerside of the mounting longitudinal extending channel means, for re- -the housing and the swing in the channel in the damper, means forming a recess in the mounting plate for pivotally supporting the pintle, an operating element pivoted in the mounting plate, and a cam mounted at the back of the mounting plate rotatable by the operating element, provided with a cam slot through which the member between the arm and the pintle extends.

4. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a radiator housing, provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising through the outlet slots, having its upper end pivotally supported in the casing and an upwardly extending flange at its lower end forming a longitudinal extending channel and adapted to engage a slotted portion of the casing, and a damper control device including a mounting plate fitting over a slotted portion of the casing, a back plate on the mounting plate, hooks on the back plate adapted to extend plate to hold the hooks engaged with the casing, a shifter for the damper pivotally supported to swing horizontally and including an angular shifter pivotally supported in the mounting plate, and means operable by said element for swinging the shifter, the mounting plate being provided with means for pivotally supporting the shifter.

5. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a radiator housing provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper for controlling the flow of air through the outlet slots having its upper end pivotally supported in the casing and an upwardly extending flange at its lower end forming a longitudinal extending channel and adapted to engage a slotted portion of the casing, and a damper control device including a mounting plate fitting over a slotted portion of the casing, a back plate on the mounting plate, tongues on the back plate adapted to pass through slots in and position the back plate relatively to the casing, hooks on the back plate adapted to extend through slots in the casing and to engage the casing between adjacent slots, screw means for locking the mounting plate to hold the hooks engaged with the casing, a shifter for the damper having a pintle between plates and an angular arm adapted to extend through one of the slots in the casing and to swing in the channel in the damper, an element for operating the shifter pivotally supported in the mounting plate, and means operable by said element for swinging the shifter, the plates being provided with means for pivotally supporting the pintle.

6. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a radiator housing, provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising through the outlet slots having its upper end pivotally supported in the casing and an upwardly extending flange at its lower end forming a longitudinal extending channel and adapted to engage a slotted portion of the casing, and a damper control device including a mounting plate fitting over a slotted portion of the casing, a back plate on the mounting plate having a horizontal slot thereon, hooks on the back plate adapted to extend through slots in the casing and to engage the casing between adjacent slots, means for locking the mounting plate to hold the hooks engaged with the casing, a shifter for the damper including a pintle pivotally supported between the plates to swing on a vertical axis, an angular member on the pintle extending through the slot in the back plate, and a resilient arm in said member and adapted to be inserted through one of the slots in the casing and into the channel in the damper, a rotatable knob on the front of the mounting plate, and a cam rotatable with the knob and between mounting plate provided with cam slots acting onsaid member for swinging said am, the plates being provided with means for pivotally supporting the pintle.

7. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a housing for a radiator and provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper including an upturned flange on its lower end extending longitudinally and continuously of the housing, engageable with the housing for closing the outlet slots and forming a longitudinal upwardly facing channel on the front of the damper, means on the housing for supporting the upper end of the damper for movement in the housing, and a damper shifting device including a mounting plate on the casing, a shifter pivotally supported on the mounting plate and including an arm extending into and movable longitudinally in the channel, and manually operable means carried by the mounting plate for operating the arm on the shifter to move the damper and its flange between their open and closed positions for controlling the outflow of air through the slots.

8. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a housing for a radiator and provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper including an upturned flange on its lower end extending longitudinally and continuously of the housing, engageable with the housing for closing the outlet slots and forming a longitudinal upwardly facing channel on the front of the damper, means on the housing for supporting the upper end of the damper for movement in the housing, and a damper shifting device including a mounting plate on the casing, a shifter pivotally supported on the mounting plate and including a resilient arm extending into and movable longitudinally in the channel, and manually operable means carried by the mounting plate for operating the arm on the shifter to move the damper and its flange between their open and closed positions for controlling the outflow of air through the slots.

9. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a housing for a radiator and provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper including an upturned flange on its lower end extending longitudinally and continuously of the housing, engageable with the housing for closing the outlet slots and forming a longitudinal upwardly facing channel on the front of the damper, means on the housing for supporting the upper end of the damper for pivotal and bodily movement in the housing, and a damper shifting device including a mounting plate on the casing, a shifter pivotally supported on the mounting plate and including an arm extending into and movable longitudinally in the channel, and manually operable means carried by the mounting plate for operating the arm on the shifter to move the damper with its flange between its open and closed positions for controlling the outflow of air through the slots.

10. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a housing for a radiator and provided with an air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper including an upturned flange on its lower end extending longitudinally and continuously of the housing, engageable with the housing for closing the outlet slots and forming a longitudinal upwardly facing channel on the front of the damper, means on the housing for supporting the upper end of the damper for pivotal and bodily movement in the housing, and a damper shifting device including a mounting plate on the casing, a shifter pivotally supported on the mounting plate and including a resilient arm extending into and movable longitudinally in the channel, and manually operable means carried by the mounting plate for operating the arm on the shifter to move the damper with its flange between their open and closed positions for controlling the outflow of air through the slots.

11. A register for a sheet metal baseboard forming a housing for a radiator and provided with an, air inlet in its lower portion and outlet slots in its upper portion, comprising a sheet metal damper including an upturned flange; on its lower end extending longitudinally and continuously of the housing, engageable with the housing for closing the outlet slots and forming a longitudinal upwardly facing channel on the front of the damper, means on the housing for supporting the upper end of the damper for pivotal and bodily movement'in the housing, and a damper shifting device including a mounting plate on the casing, means for removably securing the mounting plate on the housing, a shifter including a strip of Wire and a pintlepivotally supported on and movable with the mounting plate and a resilient arm extending into and movable longitudinally inthe, channel, and manually operable 7 means carried by'the mounting plate for operating the shifter to move the damper and its flange between its open and closed positions for controlling the outflow of air through the slots.

References Cited in the file of, this patents UNITED STATES PATENTS Hart July 3, 1928 Pierson Apr. 5, 1938 Schultz et al. June 24, '1941 Balzer Jan. 23, 1951 Kooiker June 5, 1951- FOREIGN PATENTS Canada Sept. 13, 1949 

